Monday, August 29, 2011

We received many thoughtful and beautiful gifts (along with money and gift cards) for our wedding, but none stood out, or made me tear up, as much as the gift from a fellow blogger, LaVoice.

I think it was about a week or so before the wedding when a little box showed up on my doorstep. Inside of that box was a beautiful picture frame in the colors of my livingroom. As soon as I opened it I knew right away which picture I was going to put in it. I just didn't have the picture printed yet.

Finally this past week I got around to ordering my wedding (ahem and engagement) pictures. There proudly displayed on the table behind our couch amoung my other treasured photos is this:

I'll forever be grateful for the friendship I have found with LaVoice. Just knowing her makes me want to be a better person. And of course her niece is pretty awesome as well. :-)

Thank you LaVoice! You'll never know how much your gift means to me. I will treasure it always.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

I want to send out a special birthday wish to my blogging buddy LaVoice. She has been such a wonderful lady to get to know. If you want to stop by and send your wishes I know she'd be so happy.

LaVoice has been like a grandmother to me. I never really got to know my grandparents so it's been such a lovely treat getting to know her through her blog. And as soon as my wedding/engagement picture arrive(ordered them yesterday), I will show you the lovely picture frame she gave us as a wedding present. It goes so wonderfully with our living room.

Happy Birthday dear LaVoice! May you have many more years filled with love and sunshine! You deserve only the best!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Since we've returned from our honeymoon we have been extremly busy. We've had gifts to put away, thank you cards to write, volleyball camp, basketball camp, visits with friends and family, birthdays, funerals, doctors visits and everything in between.

I love being a wife. More importantly, I love being LW's wife. I have fallen more in love with him than I ever dreamt would be possible. I miss him when he's not with me, but I do cherish the alone time, and often drift off wondering what he is doing or thinking.

I love being a step mom (or bonus mom as another blogger put it). I love knowing that my girls love me and do need me in their life. And I love being there for them. I love hugging them, telling them I love them and that I am proud of them, I love talking to them, I love spending time with them.....I just love having them in my life.

More recently we had a situation where I had to be there for Kassidy because LW was out of town in Arizona on business. He asked me if I could pick up Kassidy from volleyball practice and be there when they announced who made the cut to be on the team. I'm sad to report that our little spitfire did not make the team. As she was told she didn't make the team her beautiful hazel eyes looked over at me with saddness. My stomach cringed. I needed LW to be here so we could hug our daughter and remind her that we are still so very proud of her. As she walked over to me she collapsed into my arms. I told her I loved her and I was so very proud of the effort she put forth. Not a lot of comfort I know, but at least she knows how I feel.

It was hard to be there for Kassidy without LW but I was honored that LW had confidence in me that I would do the right thing had Kassidy gotten the bad news. It wasn't easy for him to listen to his baby crying on the phone. She sobbed like I have never seen her sob before. My heart hurt for her and I wanted in an instant to make it better for her. Feeling that way reminded me, step or biological, I am Kassidy's (and Lauren's) mom. Just in a different way.

I finally absolutely without a doubt....love my life...to it's fullest. I can't wait to see what's ahead!